Cast members of Meridian Little Theatre's production of "Aladdin" go over lines at MLT. Pictured are: Natalie Harman, left, Jesse Seale, Rachael Varela and Shane Blanton.

    The cast of “Aladdin,” the Meridian Little Theatre Youth Division production, has been announced.

    “Aladdin” will be staged four times each day Jan. 10-14, for school children of Meridian and surrounding areas. It also will be presented at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, and Sunday, Jan. 16, for the general public.

    More than 270 students auditioned for the roles in “Aladdin.” Jimmie Kaye Fisher was the coordinator of the three-day event. A cast of 140 was selected.

    The role of the mischievous Aladdin went to Jesse Seale. Another major role, that of the evil magician, will be played by Shane Blanton. Rachael Varela received the role of the beautiful Princess Jasmine.

    The cast also includes Chelsea Everett as Aladdin’s long suffering mother and Nicole Seale and Madison Williams as his sisters. The magical genies are played by Lillie Grace Langston, Bayleigh Roberts, and Kevin Williams. Alakazam, Aladdin’s pet monkey, is Hunter Howard. Queen Sultana and the Sultan, who are Princess Jasmine’s parents, are Rachel Linder and Shahmeer Hashmat.

    Merchants and neighbors of the town are Logan Polizzi, Berry Ward, Jackie Giles, Nathan Belcher, Ian Perry, Seth Blanton, Annakatherine Rowland, Anna Blair Pettey, Bailey Wetzstein, Bethany Miller, Katelyn Robinson, and Katelyn Belcher. Zara and Sheba, who are servant girls for Princess Jasmine, are Lisa Malloy and Jessica Pankhurst. Ali Bubba is played by Stevie Miller.

    The royal executioner, Chop-Chop, is Damian Harman. Scheherazade, the storyteller, is portrayed by Kimberly Cook, Paloria Hills, Sideja Nettles, and Vashti Graham. Other cast members include Wyatt Davidson, Laraleigh Roberts, Danny Miller, Grant Guidry, James Prewitt, Maggie Grace Triplett, Angeline Graham.

    These characters are supported by Ahmed Pasha, Kaden Pasha, Trey Murphy, Trey Lester, Hays Monsour, Kameron Evins, Sam Blanton, Jackson Palmer, Nicholas Quigley, Andrew Priester, Sam Garret and Nicolas Cloeman as the cave crew.

    Additional merchants include J.T D’Arcy, Laura Ashley Brown, Anna Lauren Brown, Joel DeVries, Virginia White, Conner Shirley, Sarah Paige Shirley, Kaitlyn Clayton, Brady Duggan, Isabelle Boudreau, Caroline Kerchavel, Katie Culpepper, Gracie Rogers, and Bailey Skipper.

    Street urchins will be Shannon Swenson, Sean Swenson, Ally Gavin, Jordan Reed, Zoie LaBelle, Kylie LaBelle, Nia Weary, Stuart Craze, Weston Wilbanks, Joseph Phipps, Carson Pettey, Michael Belcher, Sierah Roberts and Madison Field.

    Scarf dancers and kismet cymbal dancers are Jamine Jordan, Kaylan McCoy, Morgan Partridge, Blair Dixon, Mary Claire Whitehead, Sarah Avera, Mikayla Giles, London Goodman, Cala Brown, Hannah Cooper, Hayden Myers, Rameen Hashmat, Thalia McInnis, Sarah Pasha, Kaylila Pasha, Jamie Lynn Joyner, and Katie Williams.

    The magic carpet riders are Asalyn Grace Pounders, Emma Grace Alexander, Sara Tariq, Safa Tariq, Emilee Byers, Hannah Treider, Alexandria Rowland, Regan Andrews, Caroline Prewitt, Kadence Wilbanks, and Emma Grade Johnson.

    The royal tumblers are Maggie Hawkins, Addie Florey, Caroline Green, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Clarke Johnson, Gabby Taylor, Britton McElroy, Emily Linderman, Sara Roberts, and Lane Mercer.

    The royal procession is made of Quanila Trotter, Ashley King, Malone McElroy, Alice Williamson, Jade Matfey, Farrah Williamson, Ally Self, Darby Gillette, Lucy Green, Hannah Mae Sowell, Chloe Johnson, and Olivia Hawkins.

    The Jewels and Sparkles are Sydney Stokes, Madelyn McElroy, Isabella Pickard, Mackenzie Robinson, Anna Claire Hutchinson, Amanda D’Arcy, Maci Manning, Kaitlyn Holloway, Riley West, Kadyn Kozminski, Anna Catherine Evans, Atasia Horn, Annalyssa King and Emma Rose Malony.

    Directors of the production are Carol Sue Wiggins and Pat Gray. David Benson is the music director. Choreographers are Amy Joyner, Caroline Carnes and Vicki Jenkins. Set decorator is Holly Triplett. Wardrobe is being handled by Regina Wetzstein.

TICKET INFO

    “Aladdin” is sponsored in part by Marty and Linda Davidson, the Mississippi Arts Commission and Meridian Council for the Arts.

    General admission for the Saturday Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. matinees are $12 for adults, $10 for youth. All are reserved seats and can be obtained at the MLT box office after Dec. 13.

    For more information visit meridianlittletheatre.com of call (601) 482-6371.